Environmental Controls and Security

Blue Wool Fade Cards (Blue Scales)

Used as light fastness standards, to monitor the net exposure to light of art objects on display, and to alert conservators to rotate an exhibit or to reduce the intensity of illumination.

Eight pieces of wool cloth tinted with blue dyes of different degrees of fastness mounted on a 5"x1 1/2" card. Cover half of the card with paper or foil, and this becomes your control. Check card periodically. These cards conform to the ISO 105-b01 standard.

For more information about using Blue Wool Standards, go to NEDCC's Preservation Leaflet 2.4: Protection from Light Damage